No matter if you are far along in your art journey or just beginning, there is always something new to learn. A new thing I am trying to learn is blogging. I feel this could really help me better understand the way I do art, and it could help others as well and guide them along their own art journeys.
1. It's okay to not make perfect art every time!
I find myself getting stuck in a loop sometimes, trying to make sure my art is perfect. If I don't feel it's perfect I sometimes end up deleting it and starting over out of frustration. But the truth is no art is perfect, not everything you make has to be a masterpiece. Some of my favourite pieces have come from just small sketches I have doodled on paper over a few days and ended up with something I really liked.
2. Inspiration comes from the weirdest places.
Some of my ideas have come from the oddest places. I can get creative ideas from everyday things I do or see. Even mundane things like organizing the kitchen and seeing an area from a different angle put me into a creative space that I was in for a few weeks creating! Some other creative ideas I’ve had came from ordering old books from my childhood and re-reading them, patterns of colours, events and even locations I’ve been to (and yes I did go to a red top circus before, which was my inspiration behind the legendary Leopold the clown frog!). Inspiration can come from anywhere, you just have to be looking to find it.
3. The burnout is real.
Burnout feels like you are being sucked into a creative void. Trust me, it sneaks up to you, especially if you are pushing yourself too hard. With my ADHD, once I start working on something I don't stop working on it until I have completed it. I have learned if I am not taking breaks I can feel the burnout starting to creep up. In fact, I feel stuck in an art block as I write this. I have just been staring at my iPad for the last few weeks figuring out what I should draw next. I'm having thoughts such as "Have all of my good ideas come and gone?" or "I can't come up with an idea, this is so frustrating". Although, I know sometimes I need to let out my creativity in other forms so I don't overthink everything I am doing. So, instead of ruminating on how I couldn't figure out what to draw, I decided to do some budgeting of our expenses, just to change my frame of mind.
4. Feedback isn't failure.
Sometimes when people critique your work, (especially when you haven't asked for the critique) it can sometimes feel crushing to hear, like you're doing something wrong. Try to remind yourself that feedback does not mean failure. Feedback/criticism is just one person's view of your art, and it could be helpful to you or just, not! Just because you are given criticism doesn't always mean you need to take it. Just try to be mindful of how you are interpreting that criticism, as it could be genuinely helpful, or something you had not thought of before!
5. Celebrate your wins no matter how small!
Celebrating your wins is one of the most important things you can do. It's so easy to get stuck on the numbers, such as how many likes your post got or whether or not your art got the reaction you were looking for. But every finished piece, every sketch, and every step forward in your art journey is a win, and even if you don't like a piece you have made, you have put in time and effort, which will help you improve your art skills. Whether you are celebrating your very first sticker design, your first print, or even your first commission, take a moment to feel proud of yourself. And make sure to take it all in.
Final thoughts!
When I first started my art instagram account, I set a goal to draw every day. I stuck to that goal and have been drawing every day, some days for hours, some days for just a few minutes. The improvement that I saw during that time has increased my confidence and productivity, as I feel more sure about what I am doing and what I share.
I had been taking a break over the holidays and at first I saw it as a setback, I thought that maybe what I had learned from drawing every day would go away if I took a break. I soon realized it's okay to take breaks and not to force myself to create every single day, because forcing yourself to create just doesn't work as creativity doesn't come when we are being forced, or feel pressured. What truly matters is to stay true to doing art your own way and being passionate about what brings YOU joy, and to take the time to realize how you are unique from other artists.
Make sure you keep going, keep learning, and keep being you!
Chat soon,
Hunter
@struwwelart
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